About Dirk Hartog

Over the years, we had three beautiful children – Will, Ollie and Sanchi. Our children have spent their early childhood here on the island and have been educated through Carnarvon School of the Air.

Will is passionate about protecting the environment and enjoys capturing the beauty of the island through images. Ollie is an outdoor adventurist and is willing to help out in every way possible. Sanchi spends most of her time after school with her pets and loves being in the kitchen helping bake cakes and desserts.

Today, we are still operating accommodation, guided tours and providing 4WD access to the island via the ‘Hartog Explorer’ barge.

Dirk Hartog Island has been with our family for over 50 years and it all started when Sir Thomas Wardle, former Perth Mayor decided to purchase the island’s pastoral leasehold land in 1968.

Sir Thomas Wardle would travel to the island for vacations to escape the world of business and city to spend time with family. Managers and stockmen would live on the island for periods of time operating the pastoral station.

Moving on from the pastoral life three decades later, in 1993, the island took its first steps of tourism, establishing into one of Australia’s top eco-destinations. We (Kieran Wardle, grandson of Sir Thomas, and wife Tory) have been managing and nurturing the tourism business from the beginning.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.